Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-06
THE EMIGRATION COMMISSION.
A Probability that After a ThorouRl,
investigation by the Treasury De-
partment it Will be Abolished.

The Treasury Department is at present giving
some attention to the Emigration Commission.
The order OF the Secretary in connection with
the Jonsen case is an example merely OF the
position taken by tho Department that
the commissioners shall not exercise absolute
power over immigrants Heretofore since the
the Department has not interested itself to inquire
az to how the Commissioners were per.
forming their duty, and they have been
win. Secretary Fairchild and Assistant Secretary
Maynard have had their attention called to GER
tain alleged improper methods employed, effecting
hardship upon the immigrants, and are deter.
mined to correct all abuses that may exist.
IT Ii CHARGED
that the commission OF emigration grant privileges
to certain persons to perform remunssative serv-
ices for immigrants upon the payment of
CERTAIN noSq to the commission for
much for passage to Chicago in an Immigrant car ar
i IS guay e Charge. % aa sae sp
and make extortionate charges for inmigransss'
Is charged that the commission imposed upon the
Immigrants from two to three per cent more than
Is charged by any OF the banks Numerous other
against the commission.
THE RELATIONS OF THE BOARD TO THE GOVERNMENT,
The Treasury Department will satisfy itself as to
the condition OF AFFAIRS and the chances are that
the commission viii go out OF power. The COM
mission is appointed by the State, but performs
Foery tho State Of New Tsv1 Yons
imposed a "head tax" Of SO cents for all immi-
grants landed, and the state board collected
this tax. This tax, imposed hy q State.
was declared unconstitutional by the United
States supreme Court, and Congress by the
BY the United states Government. and author
lied contracts for ttS coiecti0n and the care OF i'm
migrants with state boards. Under this the COM
S2OO, 600 from Castle Garden alone, ana that
forms fund for the expenses attending the en-
iorcement OF the Immigrant law. There are seve-
raj er-Q1iciO members OF the board TO which NO
salary Is attached; but the man who actually
does the work gets s4,5OO per year. and
q yea "a On w sGm the %SSt
rent for Castle Garden and there Are other ' ex.
penSeS
THE SANE oLb COMMISSION.
In 1883, when President Cleveland was governor
Of New York, and the democrats had both
branches OF the State legislature. the Emigration
Commissioners were lcgtsated out Of once, to be
succeeded by one-headed commission at q salary
per year SHOULD was oyded only that tn
@a4sns
men w whp had candidate. wnsn
name went In the Tampany senator's, headed By
GraQy, fevOite0, ana Dy going with the
republicans hung thu nomination up, Since then
the republicans have had the legislature and have
refused TO confirm any Of the nominations that
have been sent In periodically since. Thus the
old commission holds over with all the charges OF
improper Management Of affairs standing against
them.
rnr CONTRACT LIKELY 70 N xxDap.
BY q notice Of about sixty days the Govern.
ment contract with them may be ended and al
their power taken from them The result OF
the investigation by the Treasury will probably
be that the contract Will be ended
Tn cAfrrxxD sc1uox11s REruRx.-Tne scnoou.
efs Argonaut And COL ]. II. French, Whose boats
and seines were sei1ed by Canadian ofIicta1s Or.
rived at Gloucester, MasR, yesterday. Capta1ul
Harris and Hpfagus say that after the boats were
seized they started Tor home coming out through